My last chain for my Trek 1.1 road bike cost $28. Even though lubricated and cleaned it needs to be replaced after 3000 (?) miles. Walmart sells a Bell chain for $5.00. Does it really make a difference to buy a better chain? I suspect the answer will be "yes". Just wondering how much of a difference. I know that my $28 chain is not the top end of the market. My Shimano CN-HG 7-1 must be made of better steel and has worked (and is still working) fine. My Park chain wear tool shows it at .50 indicating it is time to think about a replacement. One reason I am concerned is that I have restored a number of older bikes and installed the cheaper chains so I could at least get a little for my time when selling them.Perhaps I should have cleaned and lubricated my chain more often.